Mina da Orada is a settlement in the parish of Pias, municipality of Serpa. It is located along the Pedrógão reservoir and is the southernmost riverside village in the area.

It is a small village whose main economic activity was mining until the mine, located nearby, was decommissioned in 1971.

The village’s main heritage sites include the Chapel of Our Lady of Prazeres and the old mine, now flooded, which has become a popular spot for diving.

Heritage

Chapel of Our Lady of Prazeres (near EN258)

The Orada Mine

Located near the village, the Orada Mine was a former magnetite mine decommissioned in 1971. Following abandonment, groundwater and rainwater caused the mine to flood.

The flooded mine now forms a beautiful lake, offering the tranquility that only the Alentejo region can provide. It has become a sought-after site for diving. According to divers who have explored it, the lake offers relatively simple dives with good visibility and interesting aquatic life. The mine contains several interconnected galleries and tunnels; however, entry into these tunnels is not recommended for anyone without certified cave-diving training.

Warning: According to signage on site, swimming in the mine is prohibited, and the property owner is not responsible for any accidents.